Tag Archives: Wading Birds

Immature White Ibis

An immature White Ibis perched on the boardwalk railing, just looking around.

Immature White Ibis
Immature White Ibis

He’ll gradually lose that splotchy brown look this year as he molts into adult plumage and his legs and bill will turn from orange-pink to reddish pink.

Immature White Ibis
Immature White Ibis

He does have the bright blue eyes

Immature White Ibis
Immature White Ibis

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026

Black-crowned Night-herons

Black-crowned Night-herons have arrived at Magnolia: I saw at least twenty fly in, some singly and some in groups of three or four, and disperse into the trees. Previous years they have nested here and I’m hoping we’ll see that again.

Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-heron

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026

Feeding Chaos

This scene unfolded on the back side of Lodge Pond where a pool of water formed as the pond drained.

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators

Wading birds follow the food, and they are not bothered by the presence of Alligators.

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators

Although maybe the Snowy Egret center front should have been.

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators

The Alligators were actually chewing on whatever they found in the water but I have seen them snap at and catch a bird.

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators

All good for the Snowy, this time!

Wading Birds and Alligators
Wading Birds and Alligators

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025

Roseate Spoonbill Leapfrog

Sometimes birds just make me laugh.

Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

Usually it is the Snowy Egrets with comical behavior but this time a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding away from the bigger group and seemed to have something to say.

Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

Then he took a short-hop flight over the Snowy Egret.

Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret
Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

Landed with more drama…

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

…then took a walk.

Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025

Spoonbills On The Move

Back and forth, following the food, and each other, a group of Roseate Spoonbills was feeding up against a hummock in Lodge Pond.

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding, Alligator

A few Wood Storks were at the edge of the group, sticking to the shadows.

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding

Then, following a leader on some secret signal, all the Spoonbills walked onto the exposed grass…

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding

…and crossed to the open water on the other side…

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding

…paying no attention to the alligators.

Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding, Small Alligator

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025

Wading Birds Follow The Leader

Wading birds often follow each other, presuming that the leader has spotted some food.

A Snowy Egret that landing in the grass near the bank of the pond attracted a Great Egret.

Great Egret Landing
Great Egret Landing, Snowy Egret in Grass

That was then followed by another Snowy Egret…

Snowy Egret Landing
Snowy Egret Landing

…photo bombing the Great Egret. Or maybe vice-versa.

I didn’t see any of them get anything to eat.

Snowy Egret Landing By Great Egret
Snowy Egret Landing By Great Egret

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 19, 2025